British Columbia is part of the fast track of its COVID-19 booster vaccination program.
By the end of this week, people 65 and older will begin receiving a notification to book a booster appointment, provided it has been at least six months since their second dose of vaccine.
“We are ahead of our plan. Wait for your invitation. It’s coming and we’re making great progress with this, ”said provincial health official Dr. Bonnie Henry in her weekly briefing on Tuesday.
On Friday, the National Immunization Advisory Committee, or NACI, said it “strongly” recommends that people age 50 and older receive a booster shot, and that booster shots of an mRNA vaccine be offered to adults 18 and older. to 49 years at least six months after their second dose.
The committee’s announcement came after the federal government requested that it quickly provide guidance on the use of booster as the Omicron variant spreads around the world.
BC had aimed to vaccinate anyone under the age of 70 six to eight months after a second dose.
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British Columbia residents who are immunosuppressed or work in healthcare have already received invitations to book their booster appointment.
The province is also accelerating all the remaining people who have been designated clinically extremely vulnerable, such as people with severe respiratory conditions. This group, as well as people who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, will begin receiving invitations to reserve in the next few weeks, provided it has been six months since their second dose.
The rest of the population will have to wait until the new year.
“Most people under 65 will start receiving invitations in January. It will be based on age and thereafter, ”Henry said.
“It’s a strategy that will allow you to receive your booster dose at a time that optimizes protection.”
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The province is also working to make 1,000 pharmacies available to provide the booster shots.
Pharmacies are now popping up in the province Get vaccinated system to facilitate the reservation of an appointment.
“It is not necessary to call different pharmacies and check availability. You can book through the … system, ”said Henry.
– with a file from Aaron D’Andrea
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